MK Ben Ari: Don’t Release Terrorists for Grapel

Grapel is an anarchist, says National Union MK, and has demonstrated against the IDF.

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Gil Ronen, 24/10/11 13:05

Grapel in Cairo

Israel news photo: Grapel's Facebook page picture

MK Dr. Michael Ben Ari sent a letter Monday to the Prime Minister, Defense Minister and other top officials asking them not to free Egyptian terrorists in return for the release of Ilan Grapel, an Israeli being held in Egypt.

Ben Ari noted that according to reports in the press, Grapel is to be freed in exchange for over 80 criminal prisoners, including drug smugglers and others whose names and circumstances of arrest have not been published.

"Grapel associates himself to an anarchist group… with an agenda of breaking up governmental systems wherever they exist," he wrote "He does not see himself as a Jew or belonging to the Jewish people, but as a citizen of the world."

"As part of his anarchist activity, he took part in violent protests against IDF soldiers at Naalin and Bilin, and at Shimon HaTzaddik neighborhood in Jerusalem," added Ben Ari. "His activity in Egypt against the regime during the revolution was without doubt provocative... Egypt's claim that Grapel was trying to inflame internal conflicts is not without merit."